Surgical staple cartridges

ABSTRACT

Surgical staple cartridge and channel assemblies for attachment to a surgical cutting and stapling instrument.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to surgical cutting and staplinginstruments and, in various embodiments, to disposable surgical staplecartridges.

2. Background

Endoscopic surgical instruments are often preferred over traditionalopen surgical devices since a smaller incision tends to reduce thepost-operative recovery time and complications. Generally, theseendoscopic surgical instruments include an “end effector”, a handleassembly and an elongated shaft that extends between the end effectorand the handle assembly. The end effector is the portion of theinstrument configured to engage the tissue in various ways to achieve adesired diagnostic or therapeutic effect (e.g., endocutter, grasper,cutter, staplers, clip applier, access device, drug/gene therapydelivery device, and energy device using ultrasound, RF, laser, etc.).

Two primary design approaches have been used in the past by variousmedical component manufacturers to reduce the overall cost of endoscopicsurgical instruments such as endocutters. While both attempts have beensuccessful at addressing at least some of the user's needs, neitherattempt has fully addressed all of those needs.

For example, the first design approach concerned the use of a disposableendocutter devices for each firing. Such endocutter end effectors werefabricated from relatively weak components that can only be fired oncebefore a new end effector is required since the end effector componentsare markedly deformed after each firing. This type of end effectoremployed an “I-beam” feature on the knife to prevent the anvil fromdeflecting away from the cartridge during firing. Since the I-beam isriding on a relatively weak anvil component, the I-beam deforms theportion of the anvil located directly underneath the I-beam feature.This combination of factors allows staple form to be improved whiledecreasing the forces required to actuate the device because the I-beamis only pulling the anvil material down to the correct position relativeto the cartridge where it's needed to form a staple at any given time.

While this approach improves staple form and lowers the force requiredto cut the tissue and deploy the staples, it has a number ofdisadvantages. First, having the surgeon dispose of an entire anvil,channel and cartridge after each firing adds a great deal ofmanufacturing expense. Second, the device often doesn't securely clampthe targeted tissue due to a combination of the relatively weak endeffector components and the manner in which the anvil is actuallyclamped onto the tissue. The third issue is that the relatively weak endeffector components can only reliably be used to fire on moderate tissuethicknesses and the components will not function on very thick tissues.

The second primary design approach taken in the past is to make muchstronger end effector components that can be used for multiple firings.In this approach, only the cartridge assembly is replaced after eachfiring. Because the end effector components have to resist multiplefiring loads, they are purposefully designed such that they do notdeform after each firing. This design concept employs a different set offeatures on the knife to keep the anvil positioned relative to thecartridge during deployment of the staples to improve staple form. Thecombination of the stiffer end effector components and a differentclamping mechanism allows this type of device to reliably exert highclamping loads so the surgeon can easily manipulate the desired tissue.The stiffer components also allow the end effector to be reliably usedon relatively thick tissue samples.

One disadvantage of this approach, however, is that the features on theknife that prevent the anvil from deflecting away from the cartridge arenow required to pull a very stiff anvil component down towards thecartridge. The knife is therefore attempting to pull an entire beam downtowards the cartridge that is as long as the entire staple line insteadof just pulling the anvil down in a localized region as on the previousdevice. This approach, therefore, generally must generate higherdeployment forces due to the increased anvil drag loads on the knife.

U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2007/0175950 A1, entitled “DisposableStaple Cartridge Having an Anvil With Tissue Locator For Use WithSurgical Cutting and Fastening Instrument and Modular End EffectorSystem Therefor”, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety, discloses various disposable cartridgearrangements that employ a disposable anvil component. Such arrangementeffectively address a variety of the shortcomings discussed above, butalso include the additional expense of an anvil component. In addition,all of the foregoing arrangements require a separate support channel forsupporting the staple cartridge therein. Such support components add tothe expense of the surgical instrument.

Consequently, there is a need for a surgical staple cartridges thateffectively address many of the shortcomings described above.

The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate some of theshortcomings present in the field of the invention at the time, andshould not be taken as a disavowal of claim scope.

SUMMARY

In accordance with general aspects of at least one form, there isprovided an integrated surgical fastener cartridge assembly thatcomprises an elongated channel that is configured for removableattachment to a distal frame portion of a surgical instrument. In atleast one form, the elongated channel has an attachment portion thatcomprises a wedge-shaped portion that is configured for wedgingengagement with the distal frame portion. The attachment portion furthercomprises a locking member for releasably retaining the wedge-shapedportion in wedging engagement with the distal frame portion. Theintegrated surgical fastener cartridge further comprises a cartridgebody that is supported in the elongated channel and operably supports aplurality of tissue fasteners therein.

In accordance with other general aspects of at least one form, there isprovided a surgical staple cartridge for use with surgical staplinginstruments that have a distal frame portion and an anvil movablysupported thereon. In at least one form, the surgical staple cartridgecomprises an elongated channel that has a proximal end portion forreleasable attachment to the distal frame portion. The proximal endportion of the elongated channel has at least one angled portion that isshaped for wedging engagement with a corresponding complimentary shapedsurface on the distal frame portion. A selectively movable lockingmember is configured for releasable engagement with one of the distalframe portion and the elongated channel such that when the lockingmember is in an engaged position, the at least one angled portion of theelongated channel is urged proximally into wedging engagement with thecorresponding complementary shaped surface on the distal frame portionto releasably affix the elongated channel to the distal frame portion. Astaple cartridge is operably supported within the elongated channel andoperably supports a plurality of staples therein.

In accordance with still other general aspects of at least one form,there is provided a surgical instrument that comprises a distal frameportion and an integrated surgical staple cartridge assembly. In atleast one form, the integrated surgical staple cartridge assemblycomprises an elongated channel that has a proximal end portion forreleasable attachment to the distal frame portion. The proximal endportion of the elongated channel has at least one angled portion that isshaped for wedging engagement with a corresponding complimentary shapedsurface on the distal frame portion. A staple cartridge is operablysupported within the elongated channel and operably supports a pluralityof surgical staples therein. The surgical instrument further comprises aselectively movable locking member that is configured for releasableengagement with one of the distal frame portion and the elongatedchannel such that when the locking member is in an engaged position, theat least one angled portion of the elongated channel is urged proximallyinto wedging engagement with the corresponding complementary shapedsurface on the distal frame portion to releasably affix the elongatedchannel to the distal frame portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention itself will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one form of surgical instrumentsupporting a non-limiting integrated cartridge and channel embodiment ofone form of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded assembly view of a non-limiting integratedcartridge and channel embodiment and a portion of a surgical instrumentconfigured for use therewith;

FIG. 2A is another exploded assembly view of the integrated cartridgeand channel embodiment of FIG. 2 with the cartridge installed into theelongated channel;

FIG. 3 is a perspective assembly view of an integrated cartridge andchannel embodiment and a portion of a surgical instrument;

FIG. 4 is another perspective assembly view of an integrated cartridgeand channel embodiment and a portion of a surgical instrument;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective assembly view of a portion of anintegrated cartridge and channel embodiment and a portion of a surgicalinstrument;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective assembly view of aportion of an integrated cartridge and channel embodiment and a portionof a surgical instrument;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of a portion ofan integrated cartridge and channel embodiment attached to a portion ofa surgical instrument;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another integrated cartridge and channelembodiment attached to a portion of a surgical instrument;

FIG. 9 is a perspective assembly view of another integrated cartridgeand channel embodiment and a portion of a surgical instrument;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective assembly view of aportion of an integrated cartridge and channel embodiment and a portionof a surgical instrument;

FIG. 11 is another enlarged cross-sectional perspective assembly view ofa portion of an integrated cartridge and channel embodiment attached toa portion of a surgical instrument;

FIG. 12 is an exploded assembly view of an integrated cartridge andchannel embodiment and a portion of a surgical instrument;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the locking ring andintegrated cartridge and channel embodiment taken along line 13-13 inFIG. 9; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of thelocking ring and integrated cartridge and channel embodiment taken alongline 14-14 in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide anoverall understanding of the principles of the structure, function,manufacture, and use of the instruments and methods disclosed herein.One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that the devices and methods specifically described hereinand illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplaryembodiments and that the scope of the various embodiments of the presentinvention is defined solely by the claims. Reference throughout thespecification to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “oneembodiment,” or “an embodiment”, or the like, means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances ofthe phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in oneembodiment”, or “in an embodiment”, or the like, in places throughoutthe specification are not necessarily all referring to the sameembodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, orcharacteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, orcharacteristics illustrated or described in connection with oneembodiment may be combined, in whole or in part, with the featuresstructures, or characteristics of one or more other embodiments withoutlimitation. Such modifications and variations are intended to beincluded within the scope of the various invention embodiments disclosedherein and their respective equivalents.

The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to aclinician manipulating the handle portion of the surgical instrument.The term “proximal” referring to the portion closest to the clinicianand the term “distal” referring to the portion located away from theclinician. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience andclarity, spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, “down”,“right” and “left” may be used herein with respect to the drawings.However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations andpositions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and/orabsolute.

Various exemplary instruments and methods are provided for performinglaparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, theperson of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that thevarious methods and instruments disclosed herein can be used in numeroussurgical procedures and applications including, for example, inconnection with “open” surgical procedures. As the present DetailedDescription proceeds, those of ordinary skill in the art will furtherappreciate that the various instruments disclosed herein can be insertedinto a body in any way, such as through a natural orifice, through anincision or puncture hole formed in tissue, etc. The working portions orend effector portions of the instruments can be inserted directly into apatient's body or can be inserted through an access device such as atrocar that has a working channel through which the end effector andelongated shaft of a surgical instrument can be advanced.

Turning to the Drawings wherein like numerals denote like componentsthroughout the several views, FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of asurgical stapling and severing instrument 10 that is capable ofpracticing various unique benefits of at least one form of the presentinvention. Various portions of the instrument 10 may be identical toportions of the devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,670,334, which hasbeen herein incorporated by reference and/or U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,818,entitled “Surgical Stapling Instrument Having Separate Distinct Closingand Firing Systems”, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

As shown in FIG. 1, in one non-limiting form, the surgical instrument 10generally includes a handle portion 20 that is connected to an implementportion 12, the latter further comprising a shaft assembly 14 distallyterminating in an end effector 100. In at least one non-limitingembodiment, the end effector 100, in general, comprises a pair of “jaws”102, 104 that are configured to clamp and staple tissue. As will bediscussed in further detail below, one “jaw” comprises an integratedcartridge and channel assembly 120 and the other jaw comprises a movableanvil 200. The handle portion 20 includes a pistol grip 24 toward whicha closure trigger 26 is pivotally drawn by the clinician to causeclamping, or closing, of the anvil 200 toward the integrated cartridgeand channel assembly 120. A firing trigger 28 is farther outboard of theclosure trigger 26 and is pivotally drawn by the clinician to cause thestapling and severing of clamped tissue in the end effector 100.

As is known, the closure trigger 26 is actuated first. Once theclinician is satisfied with the positioning of the end effector 100, theclinician may draw back the closure trigger 26 to its fully closed,locked position proximate to the pistol grip 24. Then, the firingtrigger 28 is actuated. The firing trigger 28 springedly returns whenthe clinician removes pressure. A release button 30 when depressed onthe proximal end of the handle portion 20 releases any locked closuretrigger 26.

As will be discussed in further detail below, the integrated cartridgeand channel assembly 120 is detachably coupled to a frame 50 thatprotrudes from the handle portion 20. The frame 50 is enclosed within amovable closure tube assembly 40 that is configured to operablyinterface with the closure trigger 26 on one end and the anvil 200 onthe other end. When the closure tube 32 is moved proximally on the frame50 by the closure trigger 26, the anvil 200 opens, pivoting away fromthe integrated cartridge and channel assembly 120. As the presentDetailed Description proceeds, those of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that the various embodiments of the integrated cartridge andchannel assembly 120 of the present invention may be employed with avariety of known surgical instruments designed to sever and stapletissue. Thus, the protection afforded to the various embodiments of thepresent invention disclosed herein and their respective equivalentsshould not be limited to the specific surgical instrument arrangementdisclosed herein. For example, various embodiments of the presentinvention may be successfully employed with surgical instruments witharticulatable end effectors or non-articulatable end effectors,instruments that have powered closure and firing features, instrumentsthat have manually operated closure and firing features, instrumentsthat are attached to robots or other automated control equipment, etc.

Turning to FIG. 2, there is shown one form of an integrated cartridgeand channel assembly 120 of the present invention for attachment to thedistal end portion 51 of the frame 50. In various embodiments, theintegrated cartridge and channel assembly 120 comprises a moldedcartridge body 122 that is formed from that is supported in an elongatedchannel 123. The cartridge body 22 may be configured to snappinglyengage the channel 123 or it may be attached thereto by other means. Thestaple cartridge body 122 operably supports a plurality of staples 124that are operably supported on corresponding staple drivers 126 that aresupported within respective upwardly open staple apertures 128 formed inthe cartridge body 122.

The instrument 10 further includes a firing bar 80 that is configured tolongitudinally translate through the shaft assembly 14 and through afiring slot 54 in the frame 50. The firing bar 80 has a distal endportion 82 that has a sharpened cutting edge 84 formed thereon forsevering tissue. A variety of firing bar configurations are known andmay be adapted for use in connection with the integrated cartridge andchannel assembly 120 without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

In operation, the distal end portion 82 of the firing bar 80 actuatesthe integrated cartridge and channel assembly 120 as the firing bar 80is driven distally therethrough. A wedge sled 90 is driven distally bythe distal end portion 82 of the firing bar 80. The wedge sled 90upwardly cams the staple drivers 126 to force out the staples 124 intodeforming contact with the closed anvil 200 while the cutting edge 84 ofthe distal end 82 portion of the firing bar 80 severs clamped tissue.The firing bar 80 is movably supported within the shaft assembly 14 suchthat it passes through the integrated cartridge and channel assembly 120when the instrument 10 is fired (e.g., actuated).

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the anvil 200 is movably supported on thedistal end portion 52 of the frame 50. A pair of apertures 55 may beprovided in the distal end portion 52 to movably receive trunnions orpins 202 on the anvil 200, allowing the anvil 200 to pivot from an openposition to a closed position relative to the integrated cartridge andchannel assembly 120 in response to opening and closing motions receivedfrom the closure tube assembly 40. in various non-limiting embodiments,the distal end 41 of the closure tube assembly 40 includes a horseshoeaperture 42 and tab 43 for engaging an opening tab 204 on the anvil 200.As is known, when the end effector closure tube assembly 40 is advanceddistally on the end effector frame 50, the horseshoe aperture 42 appliesa closing motion to the tab 204 to move the anvil 200 toward theintegrated cartridge and channel assembly 120. When the end effectorclosure tube assembly 40 is withdrawn in the proximal direction, the tab43 engages the tab 204 to move the anvil 200 away from the integratedcartridge and channel assembly 120 to an open position. In variousnon-limiting embodiments, a spring clip 205 is mounted in the distalportion 52 of the end effector frame 50 as a lockout for firing bar 80in a known manner. It will be appreciated that various embodiments mayinclude other types of lockouts or no lockouts at all.

In various non-limiting embodiments, the elongated channel 123 has anattachment portion 130 that has at least one wedge-shaped attachmentportion 132 thereon. In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 2-8, twowedge-shaped attachment portions 132 are employed. The wedge-shapedattachment portions 132 are configured to wedgingly engagecomplementary-shaped angled engagement surfaces 56 formed on the distalend 51 of the frame 50 when the attachment portion 130 is movedproximally into engagement with the distal end 51 of the frame 50.

As can be seen in FIGS. 4-8, the elongated channel 123 further includesa locking member 140 for releasably retaining the wedge-shapedattachment portions 132 in wedging engagement with the angled engagementsurfaces 56 on the frame 50. In various non-limiting embodiments, thelocking member 140 comprises at least one locking tab 144 that is formedon a spring arm 146 that protrudes proximally from the elongated channel123. In various non-limiting embodiments, the locking tab 144 isconfigured to extend into locking engagement with a locking aperture 57in the distal end 51 of the frame 50 as shown in FIG. 7. The locking tab144 has a locking surface 148 for engaging the edge of the lockingaperture 57. In various non-limiting embodiments, the locking surface148 may be provided with a slight angle such that when the lockingsurface engages the edge of the locking aperture 57, the locking surfaceurges the elongated channel 123 in the proximal direction “PD”. In otherembodiments the locking surface 148 is substantially perpendicular tothe bottom of the elongated channel 123. To enable the locking tab 114to be biased out of the locking aperture 57, a clearance hole 46 isprovided through the closure tube assembly 40 which is in registrationwith the locking aperture 57. To disconnect the integrated cartridgeassembly 120 from the frame 50, the clinician simply applies a biasingforce (force “F” in FIG. 7) to the locking tab 144 through the holes 46,57 to bias the locking tab 144 out of engagement with the lockingaperture 57. In other non-limiting embodiments, the locking tab isprovided on the distal end 51 of the frame and the locking aperture isprovided in the elongated channel 123.

FIGS. 8-14 illustrate another end effector 100′ embodiment in accordancewith various non-limiting embodiments of the present invention. As canbe seen in those Figures, the end effector 100′ includes an integratedcartridge and channel assembly 320 that has a cartridge body 322 that issupported in an elongated channel 323 that is configured for removableattachment to the distal end 51′ of the frame 50′. In variousembodiments, the integrated cartridge and channel assembly 320 comprisesa molded cartridge body 322 that is supported in the elongated channel.The cartridge body 322 may be configured to snappingly engage thechannel 323 or it may be attached thereto by other means. The staplecartridge body 322 operably supports a plurality of staples that aresupported on corresponding staple drivers that are supported withinrespective upwardly open staple apertures 328 formed in the cartridgebody as was discussed above. It will be understood that the integratedcartridge and channel assembly 320 is substantially identical inconstruction and operation to the integrated cartridge and channelassembly 120 described above, except for the differences discussedbelow.

In various non-limiting embodiments, the elongated channel 323 has anattachment portion 430 that has at least one wedge-shaped attachmentportion 432 and a proximally protruding attachment segment 450. In theembodiments depicted in FIGS. 12-14, two wedge-shaped attachmentportions 432 are employed. The wedge-shaped attachment portions 432 areconfigured to wedgingly engage complementary-shaped angled engagementsurfaces 56′ formed on the distal end 51′ of the frame 50′ when theattachment portion is moved proximally into engagement with the distalend 51′ of the frame 50′. The frame 50′ is similar in construction andoperation to the integrated frame 50 described above, except for thedifferences discussed below. The angled engagement surfaces 56′ areformed on distally extending tangs 440 formed on the distal end 51′ ofthe frame 50′. Each tang 440 has a trunion hole 442 therein forreceiving a corresponding anvil trunion 202. In various non-limitingembodiments, the closure tube assembly 40′ which is actuated in the samemanner as closure tube assembly 40 described above, is configured toabut a closure ledge 203 formed on the anvil 200 as the closure tubeassembly 40′ is driven in the distal direction “DD”. As the closure tubeassembly 40′ is driven distally and abuts the closure ledge 203, theanvil 200 is pivoted to the closed position towards the integratedcartridge and channel assembly 320. In various embodiments, a spring(not shown) is attached to a proximal portion of the anvil or isotherwise employed such that as the closure tube assembly 40′ is movedin the proximal direction “PD”, the spring biases the anvil 200 into anopen position (shown in FIG. 9).

As can be seen in FIGS. 9-12, the end effector 100′ further includes alocking member 460 for releasably retaining the wedge-shaped attachmentportions 432 in wedging engagement with the angled engagement surfaces56′ on the frame 50′. In various non-limiting embodiments, the lockingmember 460 comprises a locking ring 462 that is rotatably supported onthe distal end 51′ of the frame 50′. The locking ring 462 has a pair ofdiametrically opposed locking tabs 464 formed on the inner surface 463thereof. As can be seen in FIG. 12, each locking tab 464 has aproximally-facing tapered end 466 formed thereon. The locking tabs 464are received within a radial groove 446 formed in the distal end 51′ ofthe frame 50′ to rotatably journal the locking ring 44 on the frame 50′.

To attach the integrated cartridge and channel assembly 320 to the frame50′, the attachment segment 450 is inserted between the tangs 440 untilthe wedge shaped attachment portions 432 engage the corresponding angleattachment surfaces 56′ on the frame 50′. See FIG. 11. When in thatposition, the radial groove 446 in the distal end 51′ of the frame 50′,radially aligns with a retention groove 452 in the attachment segment450. To affix the integrated cartridge and channel assembly 320 to theframe 50′, the clinician simply rotates the locking ring 462 either inthe clockwise “CW” direction or counter clockwise “CCW” direction tobring one of the locking tabs 464 into locking engagement within theretention groove 452 in the attachment segment 450. As the tapered end466 interacts with the proximal wall of the retention groove 452, theelongated channel 323 is urged proximally such that the wedge-shapedattachment portions 432 wedgingly engage the corresponding angledattachment surfaces 56′ on the frame 50′ to attach the elongated channel323 to the frame 50′. It will be understood that when the one lockingtab 462 is received in the retention groove 452, the other locking tab462 is retained in the radial groove 446 in the distal end 51′ of theframe 50′.

Various integrated cartridge and channel assembly embodiments of thepresent invention may be easily attached to and detached from thesurgical instrument without the need for any tools or additioninstruments. The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposedof after a single use, or they can be designed to be used multipletimes. In either case, however, the device can be reconditioned forreuse after at least one use. Reconditioning can include any combinationof the steps of disassembly of the device, followed by cleaning orreplacement of particular pieces, and subsequent reassembly. Inparticular, the device can be disassembled, and any number of theparticular pieces or parts of the device can be selectively replaced orremoved in any combination. Upon cleaning and/or replacement ofparticular parts, the device can be reassembled for subsequent useeither at a reconditioning facility, or by a surgical team immediatelyprior to a surgical procedure. Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat reconditioning of a device can utilize a variety of techniques fordisassembly, cleaning/replacement, and reassembly. Use of suchtechniques, and the resulting reconditioned device, are all within thescope of the present application.

Preferably, the inventions described herein will be processed beforesurgery. First, a new or used instrument is obtained and if necessarycleaned. The instrument can then be sterilized. In one sterilizationtechnique, the instrument is placed in a closed and sealed container,such as a plastic or TYVEK bag. The container and instrument are thenplaced in a field of radiation that can penetrate the container, such asgamma radiation, x-rays, or high-energy electrons. The radiation killsbacteria on the instrument and in the container. The sterilizedinstrument can then be stored in the sterile container. The sealedcontainer keeps the instrument sterile until it is opened in the medicalfacility.

Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or inpart, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein isincorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated materialsdoes not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or otherdisclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to theextent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth hereinsupersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference.Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated byreference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions,statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only beincorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between thatincorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, thepresent invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its generalprinciples. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains.

1. An integrated surgical fastener cartridge assembly comprising: anelongated channel configured for removable attachment to a distal frameportion of a surgical instrument, said elongated channel having anattachment portion comprising: a wedge-shaped portion configured forwedging engagement with the distal frame portion; and a locking memberfor releasably retaining said wedge-shaped portion in wedging engagementwith the distal frame portion and wherein said integrated surgicalfastener cartridge further comprises a cartridge body supported in saidelongated channel and operably supporting a plurality of tissuefasteners therein.
 2. The integrated surgical fastener cartridgeassembly of claim 1 wherein said locking member comprises at least onelocking tab on said attachment portion for releasable engagement withthe distal frame portion.
 3. The integrated surgical fastener cartridgeassembly of claim 1 wherein said locking member comprises at least onelocking tab on the distal frame portion for releasable engagement withsaid attachment portion.
 4. The integrated surgical fastener cartridgeassembly of claim 2 wherein said at least one locking tab is formed on aspring arm that is biasable between an engaged and an unengagedposition.
 5. The integrated surgical fastener cartridge assembly ofclaim 3 wherein said at least one locking tab is formed on a spring armthat is biasable between an engaged and an unengaged position.
 6. Theintegrated surgical fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1 wherein saidlocking member comprises a locking ring supported on the distal frameportion and having at least one locking tab thereon for retaininglyengaging said attachment portion of said elongated channel.
 7. Theintegrated surgical fastener cartridge assembly of claim 6 wherein saidlocking ring has two tabs thereon and is rotatably supported on thedistal frame portion for rotation thereon between two attachmentpositions.
 8. The integrated surgical fastener cartridge assembly ofclaim 6 wherein at least one of said at least one locking tab has atleast one tapered surface thereon such that when said at least onelocking tab is in retaining engagement with said attachment portion,said attachment portion of said elongated channel is urged proximallyinto retaining engagement with the distal frame portion.
 9. Theintegrated surgical fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1 wherein thesurgical instrument has an anvil that is selectively movable relative tosaid integrated surgical staple cartridge assembly but is not attachedto said elongated channel.
 10. The integrated surgical fastenercartridge assembly of claim 1 wherein said tissue fasteners comprisesurgical staples.
 11. A surgical staple cartridge for use with surgicalstapling instruments having a distal frame portion and an anvil movablysupported thereon, said surgical staple cartridge comprising: anelongated channel having a proximal end portion for releasableattachment to the distal frame portion, said proximal end portion ofsaid elongated channel having at least one angled portion shaped forwedging engagement with a corresponding complimentary shaped surface onthe distal frame portion; and a selectively movable locking member forreleasable engagement with one of the distal frame portion and saidelongated channel, such that when said locking member is in an engagedposition, said at least one angled portion of said elongated channel isurged proximally into wedging engagement with the correspondingcomplementary shaped surface on the distal frame portion and saidelongated channel is releasably affixed to the distal frame portion; anda staple cartridge operably supported within said elongated channel andoperably supporting a plurality of staples therein.
 12. The surgicalstaple cartridge of claim 11 wherein said at least one selectivelymovable locking member is formed on a spring arm that is biasablebetween an engaged and an unengaged position.
 13. The surgical staplecartridge of claim 12 wherein said spring arm is formed on saidelongated channel.
 14. The surgical staple cartridge of claim 12 whereinsaid spring arm is formed on the distal frame portion.
 15. The surgicalstaple cartridge of claim 11 wherein said at least selectively movablelocking member comprises a locking ring supported on the distal frameportion and having at least one locking tab thereon for retaininglyengaging said attachment portion of said elongated channel.
 16. Thesurgical staple cartridge of claim 15 wherein said locking ring has twotabs thereon and is rotatably supported on the distal frame portion forrotation thereon between two attachment positions.
 17. A surgicalinstrument comprising: a distal frame portion; an integrated surgicalstaple cartridge assembly comprising: an elongated channel having aproximal end portion for releasable attachment to said distal frameportion, said proximal end portion of said elongated channel having atleast one angled portion shaped for wedging engagement with acorresponding complimentary shaped surface on said distal frame portion;and a staple cartridge operably supported within said elongated channeland operably supporting a plurality of surgical staples therein andwherein said surgical instrument further comprises a selectively movablelocking member for releasable engagement with one of said distal frameportion and said elongated channel such that when said locking member isin an engaged position, said at least one angled portion of saidelongated channel is urged proximally into wedging engagement with thecorresponding complementary shaped surface on said distal frame portionand said elongated channel is releasably affixed to the distal frameportion.
 18. The surgical instrument of claim 17 further comprising ananvil movably supported on said distal frame portion.
 19. The surgicalinstrument of claim 18 further comprising a closure member supported onsaid distal frame portion for selectively applying closing and openingmotions to said anvil.
 20. The surgical instrument of claim 19 furthercomprising a cutting member movably supported within said distal frameportion and being selectively advanceable through an elongated slot insaid staple cartridge.